Volkswagen had just three words to go with its first teaser video of a camouflaged T-Roc, the brand’s newest SUV set to fit into the range beneath the Tiguan.

Those three words were “Power”, “Design” and “Off-Road” (I know what you’re thinking, that’s four but the last one is a compound word so let’s just count it as one) with Volkswagen having nothing else to say about what stands to become a critical new model for the brand.

The T-Roc keeps its name from the T-Roc Concept that previewed its styling in 2014, although as expected the design itself has come in for a rework, with a more subtle look at the front and rear, less defined wheel arches, and most critically the deletion of the concept's removable targe roof.

2014 Volkswagen T-Roc Concept

Full features are still open to speculation, though the T-Roc is expected to ride atop the same MQB modular chassis architecture as the Golf, and arrive with a range of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, manual or dual-clutch automatic transmissions, and front or all-wheel drive depending on specifications.

A more practical five-door body takes the place of the three-door concept, and despite being shown on gravel the T-Roc is expected to be more suited to urban environments than the wilds of the desert environments shown in the teaser video (below).

With an international debut expected before the end of the year, the T-Roc will have to meet overseas demand ahead of coming to Australia, but expect an early 2018 arrival for the Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V rival at the earliest.